Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Dinner with Maria/ Nonna, Year 5,Part 1

This post will be in two parts since it's quite long.  It's quite a nice read and I think enjoyable for those who like to read about friends and traditional events.

I'm hoping you look forward to hearing about our yearly tradition of going to Maria Mercante's lovely establishment where she has created the most homey Italian surroundings to make you feel like you are in Italy. She has an Italian store in Bloomfield, Pa
Which is Very close to the city of Pittsburgh.  The first floor is all beautiful Italian keepsakes as well as a section Maria and her friends and family bake.  Cookies, Biscotti of all different kinds and everything you could ever imagine an authentic Italian store would have in it.  Maria is a GEM.  I really don't know how she does it?  Her sidekick helping her continually is a spunky Italian young woman named Linda.  She is the sweetest and most hard working young lady I have ever met.  Just watching them together is a treat in itself.

We've known Maria who most call Nonna for over five years.  A lovely woman from Southern Italy that has been doing this lovely meal for us and well as others for years. Along with all she does she also manages to take about 8 to 10 people to Italy (different areas) and explore the culture of food, fun and family.  It's something we haven't done with her as of yet but intend on sooner than later.

This particular Sunday(we always have it on a Sunday around 1 p.m.) Maria managed to out do herself once again.  Of course Linda was there always one step ahead making the salad and setting up our appetizers and dishes as well as the clean up.  She is fast and efficient.  Praise to her!

We are a group of 4 couples who moved here from various areas and just clicked. Family loving, kind and fun people who people who enjoy socializing from time to time. We live in a quiet, beautiful, condo twenty miles north of the city of Pittsburgh.  We met two of the three couples when we moved here 8 1/2 years ago and have managed to keep in contact on a regular basis.  They have become cherished friends.

Now it's time to get on to the delicious dinner.  I don't remember the names of a lot of the appetizers but pretty much know the meal entrees and dessert.  Enjoy! 
12/15/15


To be Continued


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